PLASMA-EXCHANGE IN FRANCE - 11 YEARS SURVEY

The French Registry for Plasma Exchange (PE) was set up in 1985. For 1 1 years if has allowed the analysis of the techniques used, along with the indications and complications. After a decrease in the number of participating centers, due to the heaviness of the data collection mod e, the telematic network, created in 1991, led to a new increase in pa rticipants from 26 in 1990 to 68 in 1996. Follow up shows a Slight fal l in activity since some protocols have ended, while neurological path ologies remain the most frequent indications. The important modificati ons observed over the years are the increase of the centrifugation tec hnique, the development of plasma treatment and plasma substitution by an association of albumin-pentastarch. The French Registry for plasma exchange is the largest data base dealing with therapeutical hemapher esis. The French-German registry set-up through internet is a first st ep towards a European data base.